I'm needing some help with anxiety and depression

I recently became the sole caregiver for all 5 of my kids. I'm also not receiving any support financially or otherwise. I'm really overwhelmed and feeling like nothing I ever do is enough.
Asked by Tori
Answered
11/10/2022

That sounds like that is a lot for anyone to take on! 5 kids is difficult to manage with two caregiver's let alone one. You have a lot on your plate right now and so I believe that those feelings of being overwhelmed and out of control are completely valid. 

I do think that therapy can help you tremendously. In therapy, there are skills and tools you can learn to address this anxiety and depression. 

I think some key tools would be regulation techniques to calm your nervous system to address the anxiety. In regards to depression, there are a lot of thought patterns and maladaptive narratives we create that we can maybe work to alter some of that. I can help one defuse from these thoughts. Thoughts do not have to be our reality. They are mere interpretations of events. I can help to discover these, challenge these if needed, and reframe them as well. 

I would also put a heavy emphasis on self care and social supports/respites. I know when you read the self care piece there may be a little eye roll there *I get it*. You probably feel as if you don't have time for anything beyond managing these kiddos, let alone caring for the self. But the truth is, you can't pour from an empty cup. Have you ever been on a plane? If so, they do those safety briefings before take off. If you have ever noticed they will tell you to put on YOUR oxygen mask (in the unlikely event something were to happen) and THEN your child's. This is the same idea here... If something were to happen to you, who would take care of that kid on the plane? Same thing occurs in the home. If you want to be the best parent, attend to their needs, etc.... your needs have to be met and you have to fill up your cup, so you can pour out. This is why I would also want to explore those social supports and respites and find ways to ensure that you have that time for yourself, so you can continue to give to others. You need breaks, the children need breaks. 

I know it doesn't feel like it now, because we are stuck in that thought pattern of us not being enough. But you are enough. You are worthy. And you deserve that same pursuit to healing as anyone else does. 

Therapy is a great place to practice that self care, have a place for unbiased support, learn new tools, and you can do it all from the comfort of your car, home, or wherever is best fit for you. It can often be hard to identify those thought patterns on our own, as well, because our own defense mechanisms like to block that from us and make it nearly impossible to understand or see those patterns on our own. This is why it is extremely beneficial to engage in the therapeutic relationship so you can have someone who is informed and trained to see these things and work through them.